Alaro Balearic Islands SPAIN
Vacation rentals and homes, commercial property and residential sales in Alaro
Alaro Vacation rentals and homes
Castell d'Alaro
Explore the ruins of a Christian fortress and Arabian water tanks
The climb from the town of Alaro up to a ruined castle and hilltop chapel is Mallorca’s most popular hiking trail. The ruined castle of Alaro seems almost to grow out of the landscape, so that from below it is hard to distinguish its walls from the rocky peak on which it stands. Offering panoramic views of the sea and plains as far as Palma, the castle ruins on the hilltop date from the 15th century and dominate the landscape.
The Moorish fort that stood on this site was so well protected that its commander was able to defend it for two years after the Christian conquest.
The road to the castle begins just outside Alaro, winding up through the terraces of olive trees to Es Verger. This farmhouse restaurant and bar, popular with local families, is an ideal resting place for the weary climber, where you can fill up with roast lamb to fortify you for the final short, steep climb to the castle. Although you can take a car up as far as the restaurant, from here the condition of the road worsens are it is more advisable to walk.
At last you reach the castle, 800m above sea level with views stretching across the entire plain to Palma and out to sea. This is not the end of your walk and you should keep going to the summit where you will reach a small chapel and sanctuary founded as a hermitage in 1622. If you are inspired by the views, you can stay the night in one of the simple rooms in the hostel here to fully experience the true tranquility of this place.
